January 14, 2025 Washington, DC — LeadingAge, the association of nonprofit providers of aging services, today announces the launch of its Leadership Diversity Fellowship pilot program, an initiative supported by a $250,000 grant received from the Next50 Foundation.
Developed by LeadingAge in partnership with UNCF (United Negro College Fund), the fellowship program is one in a series of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts the association has created to address disparities in the long-term services and supports (LTSS) workplace. Prospective participants will be master’s program graduates or mid-career, racially and ethnically diverse professionals with experience in nonclinical positions such as finance, human resources or data analytics–and new to the aging services sector.
“As America’s population rapidly grows older and demand for long-term services and supports (LTSS) rises, advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in our sector’s workplaces is critical. New talent is needed–specifically, more people of color at every organizational level. This program is unique in our sector. With it, we seek to address systemic issues, including the current dearth of diverse leaders throughout our member organizations,” said Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO, LeadingAge. “Building on the learnings of this initial cohort, we hope to replicate our successes in the coming years with the ultimate result of transforming our communities to become more diverse and inclusive workplaces.”
The Next50 funds will cover the cost of fellow recruitment and development of the program’s mentoring and education elements, including curricula on aging services and cultural competencies. The pilot is scheduled to launch in Spring 2025, with up to 10 LeadingAge member organizations participating as fellow hosts. Member participants’ commitments include employment with salary and benefits; support in training and mentor programs; and participation in program evaluation.
“America’s rapidly growing older population is more diverse than ever. Inclusivity in the aging services workforce is more important than ever. We’re pleased to take action and partner with innovators like LeadingAge, who will change the status quo and help to make America a better place to grow old,” said Peter Kaldes, president and CEO, Next50.
Adds Robyn Stone, LeadingAge senior vice president, research and co-director, LeadingAge LTSS Center: “This fellowship is developed using a proven job model used in many other industries to draw new talent into their organizations. We’re thrilled to partner with UNCF on this initiative and address one of our sector’s workforce issues: recruiting people of color and retaining talent that has been missing in our sector.”
About the Leadership Diversity Fellowship pilot program
Background: In 2020, LeadingAge and UNCF formed a partnership aimed at increasing awareness of careers in the aging services field among underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, improving racial and ethnic diversity among mid- and senior-level positions in the sector, and helping providers retain staff. An advisory board of LeadingAge members, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and minority-serving institutions (MSI) recommended establishing an employer-based fellowship program. The fellowship pilot could fast track individuals with high potential who want to enter the field of aging services and is a crucial first step in diversifying the leadership teams of LeadingAge member organizations.
Program Model: The fellowship program’s cohort learning model will provide a community for the new leaders in aging services, create a shared learning experience during the year-long program, and support the development of future professional relationships and career success.
Program Partners: In addition to UNCF, partner organizations include the Erickson School of Aging Studies at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), which will develop an aging services curriculum and deliver training to help fellows learn about the field of aging and develop their leadership skills. Mentorship and cultural competency expert Nzinga Shaw, founder of Attack the Glass, will develop workshop programming for fellows and preceptors focusing on creating a culture of belonging with the help of allies and sponsors. LeadingAge’s Leader of Color Network participants will serve as mentors to fellows. LeadingAge’s LTSS Center @ UMass Boston will conduct an evaluation to assess the fellowship program’s impact and inform future efforts to scale and sustain the program.
